Week in Review: News from The Fresh Factor and Beyond...

1.       This week on The Fresh Factor: Get Your Happy Back & Part 1 of a 3 parter! That’s almost 4 but more than 2! (I’m really good at math, ya’ll). 

2.       Essence.com featured the super cool Maya Lake – The owner of Boxing Kitten,  a label I happen to love! I wore a Boxing Kitten Skirt here – and aspire to own more pieces from the line. They’re unique and all kinds of fantastic. Get your Closet Envy on here.

Photo: Essence.com

   I stumbled upon a cornucopia of prettiness to look at this week

3.     This is the coolest lookbook ever  from none other than Rachel Zoe. I love Rachel Zoe. I want her to adopt me. Who wouldn’t want to adopt a 20-something kid, the hard work of parenting is already done! 

4.       In other eye-party news, this editorial for Flare April 2012 is wonderus. I love the intensity of the color, the movement, the prints, the styling - I could go on. Plus the colored hair makes me want to revisit the days when I had purple hair (yep I had purple hair, and I miss it).

      Check the perfection here.

Photo: Fashion Gone Rouge

5.       Look of the Week: There are 2.5 this week, which makes it looks of the week I suppose…sometimes I’m indecisive ok??

The first comes from Jennifer Lopez. Since I have her twice- 1 person x 2 looks/π (carry the 1) = 1.5 looks. (Math skills FTW!)

 She is always gorgeous, and I’m totally loving this bold neon thing she’s got going. Both looks pop, but are not overwhelming. Love. It. 

Photo: Fashion Mate                                                                      Photo: HipGirlie

 Second is June Ambrose. I love, love, love the print and the colors. Bold, but soft. The shoes are great. The bag is great. June is great. It’s all just great.

Photo: Stuff Fly People Like

6.       Bonus:

In other “pretty things to look at news,” since I dance, I teach dance, and love watching people dance - I think it’s safe to say, I really, really enjoy dance. I came across this really cool video of ballet dancers in slow motion. Their precision and flawless grace is just ridiculous. A treat for the eyes – enjoy!

So that's it party folks! I hope you have a great weekend!!

5 Ways to Be Positive / Get Your Happy Back

Lately, because of certain stories in the news and the disappointing opinions of people concerning certain events,  I have had a heavy heart. It makes me sad that in a world where we’ve seemed to come so far, I realize we are still really far away from where we need to be in terms of just caring for one another as human beings.

I don’t get into those things here really because, for me, it’s nice to have a place where I can go to get some levity and not be inundated with bad news. This is what I want The Fresh Factor to be, a place where you can always go for positivity and awesomeness in a sometimes unawesome world.

So, in light of this, I had to get myself back to happy because staying down in the dumps doesn’t help anyone. Plus dumps are smelly, and no one likes to be smelly.  Here, for you are 5 ways to get your happy back!

1.       Make Someone Else Happy

       One of the best ways to get your happy back is to give some to someone else! Do something small - bring a friend their favorite candy bar, run an errand for someone, call someone and tell them how fantastic they are – before you know it you’ll be on your way to joyous. Seeing a smile you put on the face of a loved one or hearing it in their voice makes you feel good. So go for it! 

Image: lolhome.com
Give someone a high five. Everyone loves a high five!! (note: strangers may not enjoy a high five from random people).

2.       Be Active

       Sitting at home alone in a dark room will not do much for lifting your spirits. Take a walk and get some fresh air, hit the gym, or just do something to relieve some physical pressure. When you’re exhausted and your endorphins are running about it’ll be much easier to see the world with a clear view. Your body and your mind will be refreshed!

These ladies are ready to get physical! Jazzercize anyone?

3.       Hit a Hobby

       Do you have a hobby? Perhaps you build model airplanes, make jewelry, or make dioramas of important historical events using marshmallow peeps - whatever you do, spend some time on it. Focus your attention for an hour or two on something you enjoy. That focused energy will clear out some doldrums and make your brain feel better about life. 

Be like these people. Look at your hand, hold a tree, stir things, or look awkward while holding someone. All good hobbies!

4.       Do something silly

       Friends is still one of my favorite shows (Don’t judge me).  This particular topic makes me think of “The One Where Phoebe Runs.” If you are not a Friends enthusiast, in this episode Phoebe is invited to go running with Rachel. At the park, Rachel opts for a normal person run, while Phoebe soon zooms past her doing this spastic run w/ arms flailing simply because it’s fun. Don’t be afraid to adopt that attitude. Grab a friend for an old school game of freeze tag, have a water balloon fight, play a good game of M.A.S.H. with a girlfriend.  If it’s fun, give it a go even if you’re too “grown” for it.

 5.       Smile

       A smile is always a stylish accessory. Even if you don’t feel it, smiling makes your face think you are happy, and then, eventually, the rest of you follows suit. Plus you just look nice when you smile. Go ahead, try it. See? Isn’t that better?

 

Bonus: Treat yo’ self!

                Now, this doesn’t mean go blow your entire bank account trying to look like a cashmere velvet candy cane (even though that would be dope), but if there is something you know you like or can look forward to,  maybe treat yourself to it. Maybe it’s your favorite kind of ice cream or finally catching up on the shows you like that you miss during the week. Perhaps it’s picking up a new book you’ve been wanting to read or taking yourself or a friend to a nice lunch or dinner at your favorite place. Little things can offer big pick-me-ups. Also…a little retail therapy is good for the soul. Not so much the checking account though…so please enjoy responsibly.

Even if you do all of these or none of them. Simply smiling and being nice to others goes a long way. So do that. Be good to each other today people!

What would you add to the list?

One to Three: Part 1

Well good Monday party people!

This is the first of a three part post. I found this vintage skirt a while ago and I just loved the print, the only problem was it was massive on me. It was all the way down to my ankles and about 2 sizes too big. I spite of that, I just loved the print so much that I had to have it. After a bit/lot of tailoring and changing the buttons, I was left with this skirt which I absolutely adore. I was also left with a lot of excess fabric. Stay tuned to see what I did with the rest of it!

Part 1 - Skirt /  Flashes Aren't Just for Cameras / Why Are You Calling Me Elaine?

It was a fairly warm day here in Minneapolis. Everyone was out riding their bikes and jogging and whatnot - engaging in some sort of daytime activity.  My daytime activity? Trying not to flash innocent passerbys and random strangers. The wind was ridiculous. It's a good thing I have fast reflexes - I stopped my skirt from traveling too far north due to wind gusts multiple times.

The print on this skirt is so vibrant, colorful and awesome-like that I didn't want anything else to compete with it. Everything else stayed super simple. I opted for a quite classic look with a slight touch of added funky with the sheer top over a sports bra style top. I like the look of showing skin without really showing skin.

Hands firmly at my sides to keep the skirt from blowing all wonky in the wind. I'm all for sharing, just not that kind...

This one was taken mere seconds before disaster. Don't worry, I caught it in time. I think. I hope.

I just love the girly flair of the skirt, the color combination and it's utter perfection for a spring/summer wardrobe.

This was when I almost got blown backwards down the stairs. Good times.

As you may or may not know, my name is not Elaine as it says on my necklace.  I found this at a vintage shop and wanted to add it to my collection of jewelry. It's a family name that's special to me so I wear it from time to time, but every time I wear it people call me Elaine...it's weird. 

Have you ever had the skirt on a windy day problem? Do you have any special tricks or do you just walk around holding onto your clothes like a crazy person a la me?

Photos: K. Diarra Photography

Top: Heartbreaker
Under top: Wet Seal
Skirt: Vintage via B-Squad Vintage
Shoes: INC via Macy's
Bracelet/Necklace: Vintage
Earrings: Arden B

Week in Review: News from The Fresh Factor and Beyond...

1. Pinterest. It’s pretty much the greatest thing ever. Follow me here and check out this list of some other awesome folks you should be following according to Stylelist.com.

I’m a sucker for good home design/décor

2.  Check out the photo gallery featuring this amazing home for sale by Alicia Keys. A-mazing. It can be yours for the low, low price of $18 Million!

Photo: FreshLikeDougie.com

3.  I love the idea of using fashion trends in décor and I enjoy chartreuse, put them together and get your fashion and home fix courtesy of a favorite blog of mine, Elements of Style.

  

4. Solange Knowles is just fabulous. This spread in the London Evening Standard is just…it’s just fantastic.

Photo: London Evening Standard

5.  Look of the week: Technically it’s two looks and one is from last week, but that’s ok right? Yes? No? I’m not sure what you said, but in any case it comes from Ms GabiFresh herself. Her style is so funky, when she does classic it just has that extra twist that makes it special. Loving both of these: 

Photo: Gabifresh.com

 As always I wish you a happy and safe weekend filled with weekend type things!